5/16/18 Report - How To Bring Out Unreadable Dates On Some Coins. High Prices and Notable Sedwick Auction Results From First Day.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Source: Sedwick Auction Listing.

The Sedwick treasure auction went live yesterday and the action was hot and heavy.  Most items sold within the range of the auction estimates, with some higher and a few lower.

It is always interesting to see the fine examples that bring high prices.  It tells you what people most value and what treasure hunters can dream of finding.  (See photo above and partial lot description below.)

USA, regulated $15, Joseph Edwards plug and countermark (Boston, ca. 1780) on a Lima, Peru, cob 8 escudos, 1741V, extremely rare, NGC XF 40, ex-Brown (Chapman, 1911). 26.46 grams. (see separate writeup) Pedigreed to the Julius L. Brown collection (S.H. Chapman auction of 1911, plated as lot 343). 

Unique Lima 8 Escudos Cob Regulated by Joseph Edwards, Jr. to $15 U.S. Standard This coin bears several distinctions: So far, it is the earliest known genuine host for a regulated doubloon (see accompanying article, “The Regulated Gold Coinage of North America and the West Indies in the Late 1700s”); it is the only known regulated coin with the mark of Joseph Edwards, Jr.; and it is the only known non-imitation cob to be regulated to the $15 standard. Its weight is 26.46 grams = 408.34 grains = 17 pennyweight (dwt), which matches a value of $15 as established by the Bank of New York in 1784. Since a mint-fresh Lima cob 8 escudos typically weighs 27 grams (418 grains), it is evident the present coin was lightly shaved (visible in two places on the edge) and then plugged to bring the weight back up to meet the $15 standard. s can dream of finding.

The winning bid with buyers premium was over $152,000.  That was the highest price of the day  It was the highest priced coin by far for the day.

---

Source: Sedwick Auction Listing.

Another big winner was this 88 pound Atocha silver bar from Potosi.  The bid plus premium was just a couple dollars short of $57,000.

Here is the description for that one.

Large silver bar #902 from Potosi, 88 lb 3.84 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, with markings of mine/date Po1621, manifest IUDCCCCIII (1903) and fineness IIUCCCL (2350/2400) followed by cartouche of assayer Mexia, one big owner/shipper mark and several tax stamps, from the Atocha (1622). 13-7/8" x 5" x 3-3/8". Very bold markings grace the top of this thick, somewhat compact ingot, particularly the manifest and owner/shipper monogram (J. Delgado and C. de Saravia), the fineness also bold and followed by a very clear assayer cartouche, the multiple tax stamps of two different designs also very clear, as are also the silvermaster V and diagonal slash in one corner with bold C inside, the typical assayer's "bite" prominent in the center; but best of all is the full and clear mine/date marking to the left of the manifest, qualifying this piece for the top grade of 1.0, with minimal surface corrosion and nice toning all over. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #85A-S902.

That silver bar brought in the second highest bid of the day, while two more large silver bars brought the third and forth highest bids.

---

The next highest bids were achieved by a gold finger bar that cost $31,725 ( bid plus premium) and a silver pina ingot that cost $30,550.

For the bargain hunter was one lot of 100 one-reales and half-reales that sold for just over $3000 total including bid and premium  (around $30 per cob) while two other lots of 100 one and half reales sold for just over $2500.  That is one way to start a nice collection quickly and inexpensively.

As I've said before, auctions like this provide a lot of data for anyone interested in treasure coins and artifacts.  There aren't many places where you can see more historical items.

----

Yesterday I showed a small group of Buffalo nickels without dates.  RinkRat sent me an email about a product that some people use to bring out otherwise unreadable dates on such coins.  Here is what he said.

... you can often bring up old buffalo nickel dates with this product, which is basically a weak nitric acid solution (actually link below says its a ferric chloride solution):

https://www.wizardcoinsupply.com/product/nic-a-date.html  

 https://www.mintproducts.com/nic-a-date-nickel-date-restorer.html  (not endorsing these sites- it just came up on the search)

the enhanced date will eventually fade and subsequent use of nicadate will help less and less. but if its unreadable anyway, why not?

https://www.coincommunity.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=18781

Thanks RinkRat!

I didn't know about that and looked into it a little and found that a ferro-chloride product is sold as Nic-A-Date.  You put a drop on the area where you'd like to see more detail, wait about 60 seconds, and then wash it off with water.   In many cases you will then be able to see the date or other details. Some coin shops sell it for about $8. It eats the metal a little so of course you don't want to use it on coins that may have some value, but according to what I've read, people do use it with satisfactory results.

---

Expect a two to three foot surf for a few days and then a slight increase up to about three or four feet.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/29/18 Report - Gilded Royal. Silver Bar. Meteorite Gun. Buried Treasure Imaged by Radar.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Gilded 8-Reales.
Source: Current Sedwick Auction ( See link below.).

Here what is described as a Royal.  It is a Potosi 8-reales, but what I found interesting in the lot description is the "faint glint of gold color from old gilding."  See the entire lot description below.

If you found it while the gilding was still full, you would be faced with a silver reale that looked like gold.  I know how that can be confusing because I once found a fake treasure coin that looked gold but had the design of a reale.  I knew very little about cobs at that point, and it was confusing.

The interesting thing about it to me is the question of when and why it was gilded.  Sedwick's once said that it is unlikely that Royal's were made for royalty because there were too many made and many of them never left the New World.  It was not unusual for Royals to be holed and gilded.

This one has something else that caught my attention.  The assayer mark looks very much like a bulls-eye.  I've pointed out that little symbol on Potosi cobs before.

Here is the Sedwick auction lot description.

Potosi, Bolivia, cob 8 reales Royal, 1650O, NGC XF details / holed. S-P35; KM-R19b; CT-400. 28.20 grams. Die match with Lazaro #111 (R3), with choice and 100% full details on both sides enhanced by contrasting toning but inevitably holed (left of crown / right of cross), faint glint of gold color from old gilding. NGC #4690085-001.

And here is the link.

https://auction.sedwickcoins.com/Potosi-Bolivia-cob-8-reales-Royal-1650O-NGC-XF-details-holed_i29836099

---

Among the higher bids in the auction so far are the bids for two big silver bars.  Both have current bids of $29,000.

Silver Bar Listed in Current Sedwick Auction.
Source: See link below.

Here is one of the two similar bars.

And here is the lot description for the one shown above.

Large silver bar #510 from Potosi, 74 lb 3.5 oz troy, Class Factor 0.9, with markings of mine/date Po1621, manifest IIIIUCCCCXCI (4491) and fineness IIUCCCLXXX (2380/2400) followed by cartouche of assayer Mexia, plus various owner/shipper marks and tax stamps, from the Atocha (1622). 13-1/2" x 5-1/2" x 3". Very well-marked and well-preserved specimen of slightly less than average size, with bold manifest and owner/shipper monograms (C. Sanchez and P. Morera), clear but weaker marks of fineness, assayer, tax stamps, date (to left of manifest number) and silvermaster (V), prominent double-scoop "bite" in center. The assigned Class Factor indicates that the Fisher organization must have missed the date on this piece, which should merit a 1.0 Class Factor. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate.

Here is the link.
https://auction.sedwickcoins.com/Large-silver-bar-510-from-Potosi-74-lb-3-5-oz-troy-Class-Factor-0-9-with-markings-of-mine-date-P_i29835491

---

Here is a nice but older article about using radar to get images of buried objects.

https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn3923-satellites-hunt-for-buried-treasure/

---

How about a $4.5 million gun made out of a 4.5 billion year-old meteorite?

That would be a nice and rare collectible.

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2018/04/26/holy-grail-guns-made-company-sells-4-5m-pistols-made-from-4-5-billion-year-old-meteorite.html

---

Tell me about your day at the Treasure Hunters Cookout.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

11/6/17 Report - Seagrape Trail Beach. Hurricane Season. Depression 19. Silver Bar Sells for Over $40,000.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Seagrape Trail Area Yesterday.
Photo by Darrel S.

Seagrape Trail Area Yesterday.
Photo by Darrel S.

Seagrape Trail Area Yesterday.
Photo by Darrel S.

Darrel was hunting the Seagrape Trail area yesterday (Sunday) and sent us these photos of the beaches.

Thanks Darrel.!

Tropical depression 19 is in the middle of the Atlantic.  Monday and Tuesday we'll have north winds but the surf is only two to four feet.  The tides are high though.

You might be interested in this article.

The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1st. This is also the start of meteorological summer. Meteorologists and climatologists define seasons somewhat differently than everyone else.  However, the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is typically in September. Mid-August to mid-October is when we see over 74% of tropical storm days, 87% of category 1-2 hurricane days, and over 95% of category 3-5 (major) hurricane days. There are a couple of explanations why according to the NOAA website.

Wind shear, which can tear disturbances apart before they strengthen, is strong in May, but gradually fades through June and July, reaching a minimum by mid to late August. This minimum in the shear combines with favorable thermodynamics – ocean temperatures in the deep tropics that increase with each day of summer sun, warmer air temperatures, and increasing atmospheric moisture...

Here is the link for more about that.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2017/11/05/why-atlantic-hurricanes-dont-form-in-winter-and-spring-or-do-they/#140ed02528ba

---

A few weeks ago I talked about a couple of the silver bars in the recently concluded Sedwick auction.  A few were especially interesting, having symbols indicating their owner or shipper.  A couple of those bars sold for over $40,000.  Lot 217, shown below, brought the highest price of the silver bars.

Source: Sedwick Auction  no. 22 Catalog.

Here is the lot description.

Large silver bar #247, 89 lb 0.5 oz troy, Class Factor 0.8, with markings of manifest 335, fineness 2380/2400 and mine/date cartouche ORVRO / 162(1), from the Atocha (1622). 15" x 4-3/4" x 3-1/2". Another very large ingot with a wealth of markings including owners/shippers CSfZRO (Crespo) and monogrammed TRSo (Vargas, somehow), manifest CCCXXXV, fineness IIUCCCLXXX, silvermaster V (de Vreder) and various partial tax stamps and mine/date cartouche, all lightly toned with minor surface corrosion, plus the usual cylindrical assayer's "bite" at one end, impressive in size and amount of markings. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #85A-S247.

---

I hope you enjoyed the recent posts on sifting.  I expect to have another in the near future.

Happy hunting,
Treasureguide@comcast.net

10/17/17 Report - Large Atocha Silver Bar With Interesting Monogram. The Soothing Beach. Tornado From Irma.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Large Atocha Silver Bar
Lot 216 in Current Sedwick Treasure Auction.

The cool thing to me about this large silver bar is the TA monogram in the shape of a human stick figure.

Here is the auction description.

Large silver bar #626, 89 lb 11.68 oz troy, Class Factor 0.8, with markings of manifest 1038, fineness 2380/2400 and mine/date cartouche ORVRO / 1621, from the Atocha (1622). 15-3/4" x 5-1/4" x 3-1/4". A particularly large ingot with strong markings on top (should be at least Class Factor 0.9) including a very deeply impressed diamond-topped-TA monogram (for owner/shipper Tirajo), very bold IUXXXVIII manifest number, full but corroded fineness IIUCCCLXXX, silvermaster V (de Vreder) in one corner and full but lightly corroded (but all-important) rectangular cartouche with mine name ORVRO above date 1621 (the presence of which should merit a Class Factor of 1.0), plus the usual cylindrical assayer's "bite" at one end, yet with all of the circular tax stamps too weak to discern, tiny bits of charcoal embedded in sides, overall well above average for these popular "loaves" of silver. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #85A-S626 and original gray plastic TSI tag.

This lot currently has a bid of $22,000 and is sure to go much higher.

Not only is this a great silver bar, but the imaginative monogram shows the creativity of the owner/shipper, Tirajo.  Really a great human touch that survives the centuries.

The ORVRO mark refers to Ururo, which is the Spanish name for Uro Uro in Bolivia.

According to Wikipedia, The city was founded on November 1, 1606, by Don Manuel Castro de Padilla. as a silver-mining center in the Urus region. At the time it was named Real Villa de San Felipe de Austria, after the Spanish monarch Philip III. It thrived for a while, but it was eventually abandoned as the silver mines became exhausted.

---

It is said that being at the beach provides mental and physical health benefits.

According to one article, “The color blue has been found by an overwhelming amount of people to be associated with feelings of calm and peace,” says Shuster. “Staring at the ocean actually changes our brain waves’ frequency and puts us into a mild meditative state.” A study published in the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s journal even found that blue is associated with a boost of creativity.

The smell of the ocean breeze contributes to your soothed state, which may have something to do with the negative ions in the air that you’re breathing in.

Plus,that consistent ebbing and flowing you hear as you lie on your towel under an umbrella? “It kind of de-stimulates our brains,” says Shuster. The noises — coupled with the visuals — activate your parasympathetic nervous system, which is “responsible for slowing us down and allowing us to relax and feel more engaged,” says Sally Nazari, PsyD, owner of Chrysalis Psychological Services and host of the podcast Beyond the Couch...

But it turns out there’s a bit of a placebo effect happening, too...

Here is a link for more about that.

https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/what-beach-does-your-brain-ncna787231

---

Hurricane Irma was the beginning of a very hectic time for me and a lot of other people.  I won't go into all of the details, but I just haven't been able to get back to normal since.

A little tornado passed very near my house.  I happened to see it go through.  It was something to see.  A huge electric poll swayed and trees snapped over like paper napkins.  The sound was something too.

Path of Tornado Through Wooded Area.

There was a path torn through the wooded area.  Above is a little of that path.

Below is a picture of one limb ripped off by the Tornado.  Large trunks and limbs broke off.

Limb Broken by Tornado Associated With Hurricane Irma.

I talked a lot about Irma, but I haven't mentioned how it opened up some heavily wooded areas that were difficult to detect before.

Towards the end of next week it looks like we could have a decent size surf - up to six or seven feet.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

5/7/17 Report - Fort Pierce Beach. John Brooks. 18th Century Ship Interiors. Silver Bar. Lead Pipe.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

Fort Pierce Jetty  South

Beautiful Fort Pierce Beach is now a construction site.  Renourishment has begun.

This very course material was in a pile.  Most of the renourishment material was a fine grey powder.  I don't know if they are putting this course stuff on the bottom and then covering it up with the finer stuff or what.

Above is the narrow strip that can be accessed now.

John Brooks Beach Sunday Around Noon.

You could see the remains of an old cut.  In front of that was new mushy sand.

There were a lof of beach-goers out.  Most were now Florida residents.  Not nearly as many snow birds.

As I've been saying, the surf is small.  The weather is beautiful.  Not smoldering hot yet. 

---

Here is a good thesis to read.  The title is Eighteenth-Century Merchant Ship Interiors.

The study looks at a number of ships that are being excavated in the York River where they remained in fairly good condition.  Of course, the study also looks at related literature.  It also talks about where things were typically located on such ships and a shows a number of artifacts.

Here is a brief excerpt.

Here is the link.

http://nautarch.tamu.edu/pdf-files/Renner-MA1987.pdf

---

The red-coral rosary that I previously talked about sold in the recent Sedwick auction for $72,000, plus buyers premium.  Another item that brought in a lot of money was the 83 pound silver bar.  The winning bid for that bar was $55,220.  Below is the auction description.

Large silver bar #72, 83 lb 7.52 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, dated "Po(tosi) 1622" in cartouche, foundry / assayer MEXIA in cartouche, five tax stamps (two different designs), fineness IIUCCCLXX (2370/2400 = 98.75% fine), manifest number DCCCCXXXII (932), silvermaster A, from the Atocha (1622). 13-3/4" x 4-3/4" x 3-3/4". Attractively marked "silver loaf" (typical shape) that is particularly interesting for the fact that it shows two kinds of tax stamps (three with lions and castles and two with monogram) and an "overdate" manifest number with the second C punched over a D (probably just a mistake), although the clarity of the assayer and date cartouches is remarkable as well. Most of tax stamps appear to be more complete than usual. The middle of the top of the bar contains the usual peanut-shaped assayer's "bite." At one end is what appears to be the letter V with an up-arrow to its left for the owner/shipper, who is/are apparently not listed on the manifest. The surface of this bar is relatively uncorroded, with a couple small pits on top that existed before sinking and mostly contain small pieces of coral now. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #S72.

---

Hollow Log Sewer PipeSource: See the link below.

Water and sewer pipes were made of wood back in the 18th century.

Here is a link.

http://www.sewerhistory.org/photosgraphics/pipes-wood/

I found the above when I was trying to find out when lead pipes were used.

I found this piece of lead pipe.  Really heavy!

Piece of Lead Pipe.

I learned that most cities in the United States quit using lead pipes for water by the 1920s although lead pipes were approved by national plumbing codes into the 1980s.  Lead pipes were used centuries ago.  I have no idea how old this one might be.

---

I'd like to see this beautiful weather go away.

Thanks for responding to the blog poll.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

4/6/15 Report - Eight-Escudo and Silver Bar. Fossil Sea Shell. Cold Front.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

1713 J Mexico 8-Escudo From 1715 Fleet

The big news for me this morning is that the new Sedwick Coins Auction catalog is now online.  That is the Treasure, World, U.S. Coin & Paper Money Auction #21 catalog.

There are lots and lots of lots to look through.

The first session starts with the gold coins, including some 1715 Fleet escudos.  One of the stars of this session, as well as the entire auction, is an encapsulated 1714J Mexico 8-escudo graded MS 64.  Bold full cross, 100% full date and oMJ, nearly full crown and shield, muted luster and toning but technically very well preserved. NGC #3349433-001. (See photo above.)

The price estimate of this one is $15,000 to $30,000.

There are gold coins, for example Charles III busts and a one dollar Indians that are much more inexpensive, with lower end estimates below $200.

Here is the link.

http://auction.sedwickcoins.com/Treasure-World-U-S-Coin-and-Paper-Money-Auction-21_as47081

The afternoon session begins with ingots.  One of the more expensive items in the auction is an Atocha silver bar.  The estimated price range is $35,000 to $70,000.

Three Views of the Atocha Silver Ingot.

And here is the catalog description.

Large silver bar #72, 83 lb 7.52 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, dated "Po(tosi) 1622" in cartouche, foundry / assayer MEXIA in cartouche, five tax stamps (two different designs), fineness IIUCCCLXX (2370/2400 = 98.75% fine), manifest number DCCCCXXXII (932), silvermaster A, from the Atocha (1622). 13-3/4" x 4-3/4" x 3-3/4". Attractively marked "silver loaf" (typical shape) that is particularly interesting for the fact that it shows two kinds of tax stamps (three with lions and castles and two with monogram) and an "overdate" manifest number with the second C punched over a D (probably just a mistake), although the clarity of the assayer and date cartouches is remarkable as well. Most of tax stamps appear to be more complete than usual. The middle of the top of the bar contains the usual peanut-shaped assayer's "bite." At one end is what appears to be the letter V with an up-arrow to its left for the owner/shipper, who is/are apparently not listed on the manifest. The surface of this bar is relatively uncorroded, with a couple small pits on top that existed before sinking and mostly contain small pieces of coral now. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #S72.

---

Couple of Fossil Sea Shells In Rock Matrix.

Here are some fossil sea shells from the Treasure Coast.  They are embedded in rock.  Just the top part of each shell shows from this view.

As you can see from the picture below, the shells are actually larger than the part of the tops that show.  You can see much of the outline of the bottom of the shell on the left.  It encompasses most of the area of the rock.  You can see the edge of the other shell on the right at the top edge of the rock.  The size of the shell is pretty much the same as the rock on that one.

Bottom Side of Same Shells.

I just thought they were interesting.  I think they might have been totally enclosed at one time, but maybe the rock was eroded until the shell protruded.

If any of you fossil experts can tell me anything more about the shell or rock would be called, I'd appreciate hearing from you.

---

A cold front came through the Treasure Coast today.  The surf is still small.

Later, maybe Saturday the wind will shift and the primary swell will begin to come from the north.

I don't see any hope for big seas though.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

5/20/16 Report - What Florida Says To Do If You Find A New Shipwreck. Top Priced Treasure Auction Items.

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.

This gold disk sold for $65,000 in the Sedwick auction that closed yesterday.  With buyers premium, it comes to $76,375.  I think that is the highest selling price in the entire auction.

Here is the lot description.

Gold disk with cut edge, 1438 grams, fineness XIX••• (19.75K), foundry / assayer STN / DTS (?), from the Atocha (1622), ex-Christie's (1988). 4" in diameter and 1/2" thick. Impressive disk with lots of markings (four fineness, two foundry / assayer and four circular tax-stamps) on flat top, tangential piece removed from edge in its time by shallow chiseling and deep breaking (with encrustation in crevices of break), much copper color on surfaces, great pedigree. From the Atocha (1622), pedigreed to the original Christie's (New York) auction of June 1988, lot #81.

---
I think this is the item with the second highest selling price.

The winning bid for this silver bar was $57,500.

Here is the lot description for this item.

Large silver bar #488, 85 lb 9.76 oz troy, Class Factor 1.0, from the Atocha (1622). 14" x 5" x 3-1/2". Choice example with all markings clear, including fineness IIUCCCLXXX (2380/2400) to left of intricate assayer-mark for Juan Sanchez Mexia, manifest number IIIUDXXX, three circular tax stamps, foundry/date Po1621, owner/shipper mark (large asterisk), silvermaster mark B next to diagonal line at corner, plus small double-scoop assayer's "bite" in center, nearly corrosion-free and attractively toned in the details From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #S488.


---

Here is an interesting bit from Kovels Komments.

A painting was discovered behind the glass in a mirror waiting to be sold at a March 2016 Clars auction. The painting was identified as a picture of Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina by Elliott Daingerfield, an important North Carolina artist. It’s in excellent condition because it has been secretly preserved behind the mirror for over 40 years. The estimate was $6,000 to $9,000. Bidding started at $3,000, and after many bids, it ended in a battle between two phone bidders. The picture sold for a record price of $39,325. The auction house was pleased, the consignor was pleased and the president of Clars joked it was the highest price ever paid for a mirror at Clars.

Look behind mirrors.  You never know where you might find good things.  Look between the pages of books and behind paintings.

---

Here is a Q and A from the myflorida.com site. 

Q: What should I do when I find an underwater archaeological site?
A: The best thing to do when you find a site is to not disturb it. As the "discoverer" of a site, you should make some important decisions that will help to determine the site's future. This includes giving us a call or sending us an email reporting the discovery. We can help you in determining what you have found, and whether it has already been reported, recorded, or investigated.

Bureau of Archaeological Research
Division of Historical Resources
B. Calvin Jones Center for Archaeology
1001 de Soto Park Drive
Tallahassee, FL 32301
850.245.6444

And here is the link if you want to look at the other Q and A items.

http://dos.myflorida.com/historical/about/division-faqs/underwater-archaeology/

---

More of the same at the beach.  The surf will start to increase daily, but very slowly.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

5/9/15 Report - Ana Now Is Tropical Storm. 50kg Silver Bar. Captain Kid's? Pirate Island. Handy Find Container.

50kg Silver Bar Thought To Be From Captain Kid
Source of photo link below.

Underwater explorers in Madagascar have made an incredible discovery – a 50 kg block of silver with inscriptions, which is now under armed guard on Sainte Marie island off the east coast of Madagascar.  The valuable treasure may be from the wreckage of a pirate ship belonging to notorious Scottish pirate William Kidd.

Here is the link for the entire article.

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/50kg-silver-bar-found-madagascar-treasure-pirate-captain-kidd-020330#ixzz3Zd3AfXgv

Some of the markings on this bar are can be easily interpreted while others are unknown.

I think you can see the scoops taken for assay to the left of the MB. 

Thanks to Mike F. and Iowa Steve for the lead on this story.

---

Pirate Island, a show on the history channel, was also interesting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ng_s5qPYNtQ

---

And here is an article about a nineteenth century schooner discovered on Toronto's historic waterfront.

Some cool pictures.

http://globalnews.ca/news/1987304/19th-century-schooner-discovered-in-toronto-construction-site/

http://www.benzinga.com/pressreleases/15/05/m5489026/nineteenth-century-schooner-discovered-on-torontos-historic-waterfront

----

Keep your prescription pill containers.  They make excellent containers for finds.  Different sizes fit different size coins.

Remove the original label and make a new label, if you want.

They are great for musket balls, coins and all kinds of things.

Remember, though, that you shouldn't store items made of different metals in the same container.  That can cause leaching an discoloration.

I wouldn't store silver dimes with pennies, for example.

You can also stick a container or two in your pocket when you hunt to safely store interesting finds.



---

Ana is now at tropical storm strength.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TROPICAL_WEATHER_ANA?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-05-09-06-21-18



Projected Path of Ana

Shannon told us how the storm cut the Jacksonville area beaches.

On the Treasure Coast we now have a two foot surf.  That is what we are supposed to have for about a week.

Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@Comcast.net


5/25/14 - Ring Found, Fishers Detecting Silver Bars at Five Feet, New Snorkel Mask and More on PSL Regulations

Written by the TreasureGuide for the exclusive use of treasurebeachesreport.blogspot.com.


Before I really get started today, the lost ring in Ft. Lauderdale that I mentioned yesterday was found by a detectorist.  Thanks guys.  That is one more example of how detectorists benefit the public.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Fisher organization has been testing a detector coil attached to Dolores, the remotely controlled underwater vehicle.  In tests the EM coil detected a test silver bar easily at 1.5 feet and could easily detect a silver bar at five feet.

They say their traditional hand-held detectors were only able to detect a silver bar about 24 inches beneath sand and mud.  Of course a magnetometer would not detect silver at all, so this is a big improvement.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

As I expected, the action on the part of one PSL parks worker to stop one detectorist has sparked considerable outrage.  I'm hoping, though, that we all understand that we are in the winning position, not only for ourselves but for society in general, and that all we need to do is educate to inspire the more rational motives of our public servants.

In doing my updates yesterday I might have deleted an important part of the original email that I received from Stephan.  Here it is.

...The detecting community better take action. Polite, respectful, and intelligent
explanations of our hobby are what will work the best. No diatribes or
anger. People are more willing to listen to reasoned arguments from
respected members of the community, so the more info given about your
profession, background, how you've helped people find lost objects, and
copies of such stories from the local papers, the more likely you will
be listened to.

At this point, I am recommending a brief cool-off period for reflection, followed by detectorists coming together for a concerted education effort.  I hope detectorists will come together like they did a couple of years ago to stop a proposed Florida statute.  I will be happy to use this blog for communication for any person, group or forum that wants to head up this effort.  This is not only a Port St. Lucie issue.  I have received emails from different areas of Florida where the issues are the same.

I underlined a few important phrases in Stephans email for emphasis.

The concern about detectorists digging is a common one that you will run into.  It is based upon the misconception that detectorists go around digging large holes.  People do not seem to realize that coins are detected only a few inches deep and that digging is not the preferred recovery technique, especially when detecting in lawns or parks. 

Probing is the preferred technique for those types of environments.  I, for one, use a screw driver, and rather than digging, I probe and plug, or simply pop the coin out of the earth.

I always have maintained that it is best to maintain a very low profile when detecting.  Shovels are not a good choice, and I don't know any detectorist that would use one in a park.  Don't use anything larger or more obvious than is necessary.  People will draw the wrong conclusion.

I don't dig in the water either.  I simply fan or scoop and sift.

If you don't dig, you are not likely to be in violation of any such  regulations any more than children playing in the sand with their sand shovels or a baseball batter who picks up dirt and rubs it on his bat (if they still do that now that bats aren't made of wood).  You get my point.

The city ordinances say, (c) No person shall dig or remove any sand, whether submerged or not, or any soil, rock, stones, trees, shrubs, or plants, down timber or other wood or materials, or make any excavation by tool, equipment, blasting, or other means or agency.

Someone walking in the park better not get sand or dirt on his shoes and track it into their car or truck and take it home.  That would certainly be "removing."  That phrase must mean "removing" from the park rather than simply "moving."  Heaven knows, my car floor shows that that happens simply from walking.  I have to clean it out almost every time I go to the beach. 

Blasting!? 

I don't want to sound ridiculous here, I just want to make it clear that there is always room for interpretation - and good judgment too!. 

Also the PSL ordinances say, No person shall dig in or otherwise disturb grass areas, nor in any way injure or impair the natural beauty or usefulness of any area.

I've already addressed digging, but when it comes to "disturbing" does walking on grass disturb the grass?  I'm sure that someone could make that case convincingly.  I'm sure that walking can contribute to killing the grass.  Otherwise, why do we have walks, they might argue.  Prairie dogs, as well as earth worms, aerate the earth and make it easier for plants to grow.  So is it harmful to loosen the earth?   I say not.  Then it is not disturbing, but rather enhancing.

Again, I'm not trying to be cute or ridiculous - just point out that a reasonable interpretation of the regulations is in order.   Some seem to think that detectorists dig big holes like dogs or kids.   Actually, for a detectorist, the less digging they have to do the better they like it. 

If these are indeed the ordinances being enforced, the detectorist that was not allowed to keep his detector with him should have been allowed to stay in the park with his detector as long as he did not "dig" or otherwise "disturb" grass areas or injure or impair the natural beauty of the park.  Dig or disturb seem to be two key words.

As we begin this Memorial Day holiday and remember the great sacrifices of our veterans, it is a good time to think about our freedoms and the need to continually protect them.  

Hitler started small, and you know where that went.

I spent a few hours Saturday watching WWII on the history channel.  Amazing and thought provoking.  Horrendous and unimaginable, yet real.

----------------------------------------------

Here is a new type of snorkel mask.  I'll probably have one of these before long.

Check it out.

http://www.hashslush.com/easybreath-snorkeling-mask/

 I hope swimming doesn't displace or disturb the water.  Sorry, couldn't resist.


There is no change in beach conditions on the Treasure Coast today.  Still a very small surf.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net

6/24/11 Report - Atocha Silver Bar & New Sedwick Auction Open

Atocha Silver Bar in New Sedwick Auction.

Really neat silver bar with a lot of information inscribed.

Here is the lot description.

Large silver bar #56, 84 lb 1.4 oz troy, Class Factor 0.9. Choice bar. Markings: ATS monogram to left, HE to right, V at upper right corner. manifest number IUCCXXIX, fineness IIU C C C L X X X (2380 = 99.2% pure) to left of partial IoV.Ess. / MEXIA assayer cartouche, also 3 nearly complete tax stamps and posible 1622 (faint) date with P initial for Potosí [top left], very deep "double-scoop" assayer's "bite" in middle. From the Atocha (1622), with Fisher photo-certificate #56


Last night I received an email from Sedwick Coins with an announcement about two auctions. The first auction is the First Sedwick Coins All Internet Auction, which is now open for bidding online. Here is the information they sent about that.

Our first “Internet Only” Auction #1 is now available for viewing on iCollector!

Due to consignor demand we are holding our first “Internet Only” absentee-bid auction online from now until the closing at 9 pm EDT on July 28. Here is how it works:

Sign in and register to bid for Internet-Only Auction #1 (Summer 2011) powered by iCollector (click here), just as you do with our regular auctions (or set up a new account on iCollector in seconds). Then browse the lots and bid on them or bookmark them to watch. Bid your maximum so you won’t lose the item you really want. The iCollector platform will treat it as a “secret maximum” and only show the current high bid (which is reduced to one increment above the next highest bid). Your maximum can only be seen by YOU. If you are outbid, iCollector will notify you instantly. The difference is that there is no LIVE bidding at the end, and all the lots will close at the same time. Terms and conditions are the same as for any of our other auctions. Also, since everything will be starting at LOW levels (practically all without reserves), we expect high participation, and there will NOT be a post-auction sale.

This auction of 789 lots features our first offering of silver cobs from the Sao Jose wreck of 1622 (read more) , consisting of over 350 coins in over 90 lots, most of them in groups of 3, 6 and 9 coins, as well as key dates and rarities in individual lots. You will also find a large Atocha silver bar, shipwreck and world coins (silver and gold), artifacts, books and documents. There is plenty here for the budget-conscious buyer, so take a look and plan to BUY!

We are posting the lot titles and photos now and opening the auction for bidding, although the cataloging is not complete. Watch for additional descriptions over the coming weeks.

We are posting the lot titles and photos now and opening the auction for bidding, although the cataloging is not complete. Watch for additional descriptions over the coming weeks.

You can view the auction lots in person at the Summer FUN show, July 7-9, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. After the show (up until July 27), please make an appointment to view the lots at our office in Winter Park.


The second auction they mentioned is the Treasure World Coin Auction #10 that will be conducted in October. They are accepting consignments for that auction up until Aug. 1

Here is the contact information.

Daniel Frank Sedwick, LLC
P.O. Box 1964
Winter Park, FL 32790
email: info@sedwickcoins.com
web: www.sedwickcoins.com
telephone: 407.975.3325

fax: 407.975.3327


As you may recall, not too long ago Odyssey Marine stock was selling for over $4.00 per share, but then took a tumble when they announced that they were going to offer millions of additional shares.

Yesterday the stock (OMEX) closed at $3.05 per share. Here is the reason.

According to GLOBE NEWSWIRE, TAMPA, Fla., June 21, 2011,

Odyssey Marine, a pioneer in the field of deep-ocean exploration, today announced the closing of its previously announced public offering of common stock at a price to the public of $3.05 per share. The underwriters exercised in full their option to purchase 720,000 shares at the offering price, resulting in total sales of 5,520,000 shares.

Odyssey intends to use the net proceeds from the offering for shipwreck exploration and recovery projects, other working capital and general corporate purposes.


Yesterday I mentioned that the Whites Dual Field is a lot lighter than the Excalibur. I should have added that some people think the coil on the Dual Field is too buoyant and add a weight when detecting in the water.


Treasure Coast Beach Detecting Forecast and Conditions.

Still no change. Wind is out of the south and the sea is calm. The sea is expected to increase up to a couple of feet Monday and Tuesday, which isn't even hardly enough to mention. The predictions show the seas dropping back down right after that.

No signs of any storms in the Atlantic either. Its just a same old same old kind of thing. I'll bet we get some kind of storm before the summer is over.

Beach hunting here sure has been slow lately.


Happy hunting,
TreasureGuide@comcast.net